Cabbage benefits, and information on its different nutritional properties. Also find out what its contraindications are.
The cabbage (a vegetable also known by the name of collards) belong to the cruciferous family, whose family also owned other vegetables quite known to our readers, such as broccoli or cauliflower (in fact, this belong more than 300 genera and approximately 3,000 species, of which only some are well known as they are widely consumed).
In the case of cabbage, they are vegetables native to southern and central Europe, although it is true that they are currently grown practically all over the world. The Egyptians already cultivated them, while the Romans and Greeks attributed digestive properties to them.
The best months of the year to find them in the market are the months of December, January, February and March (during the winter months), although it is true that today we can find them at any time and time of year.
Cabbage nutritional properties
From a nutritional point of view, cabbages stand out from the outset for their high water content, low presence in fat and therefore also in calories.
They provide interesting amounts of provitamin A, which is transformed into vitamin A, an essential nutrient essential for our vision, although we must bear in mind that most of this vitamin is lost during the cooking process.
It also stands out for its presence in vitamin C, which has a very interesting antioxidant action, intervening in the formation of teeth, bones, red blood cells and improving defenses against infections (learn more about tips to increase defenses).
Regarding the different minerals that cabbage provides, we must mention its potassium content (necessary for the transmission and generation of the nerve impulse, as well as for muscle activity) and magnesium (it improves immunity and has a mild laxative effect).
| Calories | 22 kcal | ||
| Protein | 1.3 g | ||
| Carbohydrates | 4.5 g | ||
| Total fat | 0.2 g | ||
| Fiber | 2 g | ||
| Vitamins | Minerals | ||
| Provitamin A | 33 mcg | Magnesium | 23 mg |
| Vitamin C | 68 mg | Potassium | 320 mg |
Cabbage benefits
Cabbage stands out for its low fat and therefore caloric content, so that it becomes an ideal vegetable not only in healthy and balanced diets, but also for all those who must follow a low-fat diet in order to lose weight and lose weight.
Due to its fiber content, its regular consumption helps to improve intestinal transit, preventing constipation. In addition, due to their water and potassium content, they provide diuretic and cleansing benefits, helping not only in the event of fluid retention, but also when it comes to eliminating toxins that accumulate in our body.
Thanks to the presence of provitamin a, it is a beneficial vegetable for the health of vision, while vitamin C helps to improve our body’s resistance to infections.
In addition, due to its folate content, its consumption is recommended in the diet of pregnant women, since it is an essential nutrient for the correct development of the neural tube of the fetus.
Cabbage contraindications
Due to the contribution of fiber and sulfur compounds we must be careful with excessive consumption of cabbage, since they produce flatulence (gases), complicating the proper process of digestion.
Hence, its consumption is not recommended in people with digestion problems.
